New Student Orientation

Fall 2025 Orientation class photo

Aloha and welcome new student to the New Student Orientation program! New Student Orientation is filled with fun activities all designed to create connections with other new students, with our amazing UH Hilo faculty, and with numerous campus resources and the awesome staff that run them. We invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of our university's culture and traditions during New Student Orientation. By participating in our program, you'll cultivate a strong sense of belonging and place, forging lasting bonds with fellows students, faculty, and staff that will accompany you throughout your journey at our university.

Spring 2026 New Student Orientation opens for sign up on Monday November 3rd, 2025 until Wednesday December 31, 2025.

Final schedule of events for Spring NSO will be available mid-December

Fall 2025 New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is open to UH Hilo freshmen and transfer students of all class standings. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone. The Vulcan Spring Orientation program is on Thursday January 8th through Friday January 9th and spans into the first week of instruction with Vulcan'Ohana Week of Welcome.

You may want to review Frequently Asked Questions asked by new students about Orientation.

Getting here…

When should I arrive?

If you are living on campus in the Residence Halls please take time to review the following important dates and rate information.

Airport Shuttle to campus

Airport Shuttle Sign Up open Through August 15th. This service is free and is a way for us to welcome you to Hilo and into our ʻohana.

What others have said

We always like to assess the programs that we offer so that we can continue to improve the way in which we support the success of our students. Here are a couple of things our students told us last year about their Orientation experience:

97%

“Orientation helped me feel welcomed to UH Hilo”

93%

“Through Orientation I learned about resources and offices on campus”

99%

“Orientation helped me feel better prepared to start my first semester at UH Hilo”

92%

“I would recommend this orientation program to other new students”

Some of our students shared:

“PIZZA POOL PARTY? LIBRARY SCAVENGER HUNT?? SCHOOL BUS FIELD TRIP TO KAULANA MANU NATURE TRAIL?? DIVE INTO SPACE AT THE IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER??? FREE UH HILO MERCH AND TASTING OF DELICIOUS LOCAL FOODS/DRINKS?!? CONCERT?!?! There was no better way of kick starting the school year with orientation week. I made 100+ new friends by simply being present and going to every event that the orientation crew set up for us. It's a great crash course of the beautiful campus with constant smiles and adrenaline. Missing out on orientation means you're missing out on 1,000 opportunities. The people you will meet will be your next Ohana or "Family" for the next few years. Can't wait to see you all soon!”--Hayate, Double Major Applied Economics and Finance Fall 2024.

"Orientation was a blast! I feel I have connected to campus as well as my peers. The experience also gave me a better understanding of the campus and its amenities. All the activities were so inspiring and got me so excited to go on campus!"--Kaylee, Marine Biology Major Fall 2024.

"UH Hilo new student orientation did a wonderful job of welcoming me, helping me connect with my peers, and teaching me about my degree program! I especially liked the Tastes of Hilo event and the trip to 'Imiloa. Highly recommend it to any incoming student." --Coriander, Marine Science Major, Fall 2024.